Foldable walking frame with ergonomic adjustment features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12226362-B2
Application number	US-202418414054-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 16, 2024
Priority date	Aug 17, 2020
Publication date	Feb 18, 2025
Grant date	Feb 18, 2025

Abstract

An improved walker includes an adjustable frame with angled portions that provide an ergonomic interface and enhanced stability for a user. The front of the walker includes a wishbone front support frame. Rather than incorporating multiple front legs extending from the top of the walker to the floor, the wishbone front support frame provides clearance on either side of a center front column. This clearance allows users to position, or maneuver, the walker close to adjacent objects. The handrail portions of the walker are pitched at a downward angle running in a direction from the rear to the front of the walker. This pitch moves the operating position of the user close to the front of walker providing a safe and stable operating position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A walking frame, comprising:
a wishbone-shaped support defining a front plane of the walking frame, the wishbone-shaped support comprising:
a column extending a height in the front plane from a first end of the column to a second end of the column;
a first leg connected to the column and branching in a first direction away from the column in the front plane to a first side of the walking frame; and
a second leg connected to the column and branching in a second direction away from the column in the front plane to a second side of the walking frame, wherein the second side is disposed opposite the first side;

a handlebar comprising a first tube end disposed on the first side of the walking frame and a second tube end disposed on the second side of the walking frame, wherein the handlebar is operatively connected to the column adjacent the second end of the column; and
a first grip tube connected to the first tube end on the first side, the first grip tube comprising a first rail section axially aligned with the first tube end, a support rail section connected to the first rail section and bent at a first angle relative to the first rail section disposing the support rail section in an inclined plane, and a second rail section connected to the support rail section and bent at second angle relative to the first angle, wherein the inclined plane intersects with the front plane, and is angled from a lowest point adjacent the first rail section to a highest point adjacent the second rail section.

2. The walking frame of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second grip tube connected to the second tube end on the second side, the second grip tube comprising a first rail section axially aligned with the second tube end, a support rail section connected to the first rail section of the second grip tube and bent at the first angle relative to the first rail section of the second grip tube, wherein the support rail section of the second grip tube is disposed in the inclined plane when the walking frame is in an opened state.

3. The walking frame of claim 2 , wherein the first grip tube is rotationally engaged with the handlebar at the first tube end, wherein the first grip tube has a first locking position in the opened state of the walking frame when the second rail section is disposed on the first side, and wherein the first grip tube has a second position in a folded state of the walking frame when the second rail section is disposed adjacent the second side and is disposed adjacent the front plane of the walking frame.

4. The walking frame of claim 3 , wherein the second grip tube is rotationally engaged with the handlebar at the second tube end, wherein the second grip tube has a first locking position in the opened state of the walking frame when the second rail section of the second grip tube is disposed on the first side, and wherein the second grip tube has a second position in the folded state of the walking frame where the second rail section of the second grip tube is disposed adjacent the first side and is disposed adjacent the front plane of the walking frame.

5. The walking frame of claim 4 , further comprising:
a first back leg extending from the second rail section of the first grip tube; and
a second back leg extending from the second rail section of the second grip tube, wherein an open carry area of the column is disposed between the first back leg adjacent the second side and the second back leg adjacent the first side, and wherein the open carry area of the column is unobstructed from a front side of the walking frame and a rear side of the walking frame when the walking frame is in the folded state.

6. The walking frame of claim 3 , further comprising:
a tube slidably engaged with the column, wherein the handlebar is affixed to the tube at a stem arranged at an end of the tube, and wherein the handlebar is operatively connected to the column via the tube.

7. A walking frame, comprising:
a wishbone-shaped support defining a front plane of the walking frame, the wishbone-shaped support comprising:
a column extending a height in the front plane from a first end of the column to a second end of the column;
a first leg connected to the column and branching in a first direction away from the column in the front plane to a first side of the walking frame; and
a second leg connected to the column and branching in a second direction away from the column in the front plane to a second side of the walking frame, wherein the second side is disposed opposite the first side;

a handlebar comprising a first tube end disposed on the first side, a second tube end disposed on the second side, wherein the handlebar is operatively connected to the column adjacent the second end of the column; and
a first grip tube rotationally attached to the handlebar at the first tube end on the first side, the first grip tube comprising a first rail section axially aligned with the first tube end, a support rail section connected to the first rail section and bent at a first angle relative to the first rail section disposing the support rail section in an inclined plane, and a second rail section connected to the support rail section and bent at second angle relative to the first angle, wherein the inclined plane intersects with the front plane and is angled from a lowest point adjacent the first rail section to a highest point adjacent the second rail section, wherein the first grip tube has a first locking position in an opened state of the walking frame when the second rail section is disposed on the first side, and wherein the first grip tube has a second position in a folded state of the walking frame when the second rail section is disposed adjacent the second side and is disposed adjacent the front plane of the walking frame.

8. The walking frame of claim 7 , further comprising:
a fold-lock mechanism arranged adjacent the first tube end of the handlebar, wherein the fold-lock mechanism, in an engaged state with a first locking receptacle of the handlebar, rotationally locks the first grip tube relative to the handlebar in the opened state of the walking frame, and wherein the fold-lock mechanism, in a disengaged state with the first locking receptacle of the handlebar, rotationally unlocks the first grip tube relative to the handlebar.

9. The walking frame of claim 8 , wherein the fold-lock mechanism, in an engaged state with a second locking receptacle of the handlebar, rotationally locks the first grip tube relative to the handlebar in the folded state of the walking frame.

10. The walking frame of claim 7 , further comprising:
a second grip tube rotationally attached to the handlebar at the second tube end on the second side, the second grip tube comprising a first rail section axially aligned with the second tube end, a support rail section connected to the first rail section of the second grip tube and bent at the first angle relative to the first rail section of the second grip tube, wherein the support rail section of the second grip tube is disposed in the inclined plane when the walking frame is in the opened state of the walking frame.

11. The walking frame of claim 10 , wherein, in the opened state of the walking frame, the support rail section of the first grip tube and the support rail section of the second grip tube are symmetrical about a center plane running through the column and extending from a front side of the walking frame to a rear side of the walking frame.

12. The walking frame of claim 11 , wherein, in the opened state of the walking frame, the support rail section of the first grip tube is flared outwardly from the center plane at a firs

Assignees

• Cvs Pharmacy Inc

Inventors

• Van Varick Robert Beale
• Strum Donald Samuel
• Wintner George Benjamin
• Crist Ryan
• Allison Gregory P

Classifications

• A61H2201/1638

  Holding means therefor · CPC title

• A61H2201/0161

  Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport · CPC title

• A61H2003/046

  with braking means · CPC title

• A61H3/04 Primary

  Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons · CPC title

• A61H2201/0192

  Specific means for adjusting dimensions · CPC title